WFDD LEAD-CARIBBEAN

Message from the WFDD Caribbean Lead – Dr. Paula Henry

World Family Doctor Day – May 19, 2025

Theme: “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World”

Warm greetings from the Caribbean College of Family Physicians (CCFP)!

As we prepare to celebrate World Family Doctor Day 2025, I am thrilled to invite you to participate in a regional effort to showcase the collective strength, creativity, and commitment of family physicians across the Caribbean.

Though we are separated by vast oceans and diverse geographies, WFDD provides a unique opportunity to unify our voices and amplify the critical work being done in Family Medicine—from bustling cities to rural communities. This year’s theme, “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World,” calls on us not only to support our patients but also to stand in solidarity with each other as healthcare providers navigating increasingly complex challenges.

The Caribbean College of Family Physicians, recognized by WONCA as a key global stakeholder, is committed to telling our regional story with pride and purpose. Yet many still don’t fully know who we are or what we do. Let’s change that—together.

What We’re Creating
We are producing a vibrant, consolidated digital showcase of WFDD activities across the Caribbean. With the support of CCFP Regional, this collection will be transformed into a clickable link that will be submitted to WONCA for inclusion in their Global Newsletter—reaching a truly international audience.

Caribbean Countries Invited to Contribute:
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- British Virgin Islands (BVI)
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Montserrat
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Barthélemy
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sint Maarten
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- U.S. Virgin Islands

Submission Guidelines

By Friday, May 10, 2025:
- A short summary of your planned WFDD activities

By Saturday, May 24, 2025:
- Final summary/report of the event(s)
- Written narratives (e.g., newspaper articles, academic papers, reflections)
- Any links to publications or booklets (e.g., Jamaica’s WFDD tradition)
- Photos from the event or preparation phase
- Videos (brief clips are welcome!)

Let us use this moment to remind the world who we are and the vital role we play in building healthier, more resilient communities.

In unity and purpose,
Dr. Paula Henry
WFDD Caribbean Lead
Family Physician & Public Health Practitioner
Caribbean College of Family Physicians

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Dr. Paula Henry is a Family Physician and Public Health Practitioner from Trinidad and Tobago, with a passion for global health. She attended the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, Jamaica, and graduated in 1980, earning her MBBS degree. She also holds a Diploma in Theology from Codrington College, Barbados, an MBA from the University of Edinburgh, a Diploma in Political Science from University of London, School of Economics, and an MPH from UWI St Augustine. Dr. Henry is currently the lead for the WONCA Working Party for Women and Family Medicine (WWPWFM), and the Caribbean Lead WONCA Working Party in Planetary Health. As a director of EarthMedic and EarthNurse Foundation for Planetary Health, she works with other Public Health institutions to underscore that the climate crisis is a health crisis. This is achieved through heightened awareness, education, advocacy and research.